On the subject of seeds and their germination (or lack of it) – do not hit yourself if you get poor results.

It may be the seeds were given less than ideal conditions or it may be the actual viability of the seeds was less than it should have been.

Seeds need to be stored in perfectly managed conditions – the right temperature and lack of humidity – and the seed merchants have made this into a science.

If you bought seed from a reputable firm you should not have too many problems.

The other thing to do is check to see if there is a ‘use by’ date on the packet as well. I dare say you will get some germination even if seed is out of date, but it will be patchy.

Also consider what you will sow seed into, both in terms of compost and containers. I have stopped using seed trays and only have them as containers to put plastic modules or plastic pots. A word of warning – the plastic module sheets are flimsy and difficult to shift around once filled with compost. Place them in the carrier-tray before filling rather than trying to lift them after.

If you make sure your carrier trays have drainage holes, you can easily water without having to lift things in and out.

With regard to compost, I use a seed and cutting compost which is generally lump-free and lovely to handle. I am not keen on loam-based seed compost on its own, as I find it goes hard too easily.

A seed/cutting compost contains very little or no food so you will have to shift your seedlings onto the next stage when they are large enough to handle. Always use fresh compost – any half-used open bags should be spread onto the borders or added to the compost bin.

If you have been sowing large individual seeds covered in compost, then it will be all right to use a watering can with a fine rose on it.

If you have sown very small seed that is usually not covered, the drops from even a fine rose will dislodge them, so watering from the bottom is advisable. Make sure all pots and containers are allowed to drain through thoroughly before you put them wherever to germinate.

Out in the garden, if you have fruit trees or bushes then give them a good sprinkling with sulphate of potash, water it in and then mulch around the base of the tree. Don’t let the mulch touch the bark, however, as it can lead to rot.

If peaches and nectarines are your thing, you will need to set up some sort of plastic hood over them to protect any emerging blossom buds from damage by rain. Don’t engulf the whole thing in plastic or there will be no circulating air and no pollinators will be able to get in, for whilst many are self-fertile, they still benefit from extra insect help.

I have not yet cut back slightly tender things like Penstemon and Ceratostigma and I suggest you hang on for a while too!